European countries have been confronting a rise in sabotage attacks linked to Russia that they say appear aimed to stir unease and increase the cost of Western support for Ukraine.

Two telecommunications cables running through the Baltic Sea were damaged in what Germany called an act of 'sabotage.'

Germany and Finland say they are "deeply concerned" after an undersea cable linking the countries was severed. The rupture of the 1,170km (730-mile) telecommunications cable - which is being investigated - comes at a time of heightened tension with Russia.

The leadership of Germany's ruling Social Democrats will meet on Tuesday evening to discuss whether Olaf Scholz should still run as the party’s candidate for chancellor in the upcoming snap election,

Pressure is mounting among Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) to decide on the political future of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, amid doubts about whether the unpopular leader could run a successful election campaign.